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REPORT: Wessels sails the ship as Sussex tied up in Notts on Day Two

A century from Riki Wessels ensured that visitors Nottinghamshire passed Sussex’s first-innings score on Day Two of the LV=County Championship Division One clash at The PROBIZ County Ground, Hove.

Wessels finished the day unbeaten on 184 as Nottinghamshire edged ahead of Sussex’s first innings score, amassing 320 for 4 by the close, a lead of 11 runs.

Sussex could only add four runs to their overnight score this morning before Naveed Arif Gondal scooped Samit Patel to a grateful Ben Phillips at mid-off to dismiss the hosts for 309. On another glorious day and with the track playing well, it seemed a good day for batting and Nottinghamshire made the most of it.

Wessels and Alex Hales put on a huge 171 for the first wicket before Monty Panesar finally got the breakthrough, sneaking one through to bowl Hales. It had taken nearly 50 overs but finally Sussex had something to show for their already long toil in the field, particularly as Hales on 80 had looked well set for three figures himself.

The opener ploughed on, punishing anything loose from the bowlers and the son of the former Sussex man Kepler Wessels was ably assisted by Michael Lumb until the latter squirted one loosely to Joe Gatting at backward point off the bowling of Naveed Arif Gondal.

Samit Patel showed intent at the crease but it was an inspired bowling change which accounted for both him and the exciting England prospect James Taylor. Chris Nash ensured Patel was cramped for room when looking to cut as he edged one behind to Ben Brown for 11, before Taylor could make only 5 when he pushed forward only to be caught at short leg by Gatting.

Despite Nash's figures of 2 for 13 to go with his impressive century yesterday, the day belonged to Wessels who walked off to generous applause from the Hove faithful as he pushed towards his highest first-class score.